| Connector assembly -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Connector assemblyRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Connectors, Metallic Connector Or Contact Having Movable Or Resilient Securing Part, Spring Actuated Or Resilient Securing Part, With Movably Attached User Manipulated Means Or Having User Grippable Means For Manually Distorting Resilient PartThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060228952. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates to electrical connectors, and particularly to a connector assembly including a cable connector and printed circuit-mounted frame therefor. [0002] In many electronic devices, it is desired to connect a cable, such as a coaxial or twin-axial cable, to a printed circuit. As electronic devices become smaller, less space is available for making the connection between the cable and the printed circuit. In particular, space above the surface of the printed circuit is limited. Therefore, the height of the connector as measured from the surface of the printed circuit must be small. Space is also limited on the printed circuit itself. Thus, the area occupied by the connector on the surface of the printed circuit (the "footprint" of the connector) must also be small. The footprint of the connector includes space on the printed circuit that must be kept free of surface-mounted components so as to allow engagement and disengagement of the connector. [0003] Presently available connectors generally fall into one of two categories: vertically-mated connectors and horizontally-mated connectors. Vertically-mated connectors engage in a direction generally orthogonal to the surface of the printed circuit (commonly referred to as the Z-axis), while horizontally-mated connectors engage in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the printed circuit. Available vertically-mated connectors generally have a Z-axis height too large for use in many devices (such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and digital music players, for example) where a low-profile connector is required. However, vertically-mated connectors have an advantage of a relatively small footprint on the surface of the printed circuit, because no additional space on the printed circuit is required for engagement and disengagement of the connector. In contrast, horizontally-mated connectors generally have a lower Z-axis height, but also have a larger footprint on the printed circuit due to the space on the printed circuit that must be kept free of surface-mounted components to allow engagement and disengagement of the connector. The use of horizontally-mated connectors results in loss of valuable printed circuit real estate, and typically precludes the use of horizontally-mated connectors anywhere but at the edges of the printed circuit. However, in many small electronic devices, it is desired or necessary to place the connectors at positions other than an edge of the printed circuit. [0004] In addition to the increasingly restrictive connector height and footprint requirements imposed by small electronic devices, the requirements for improved electrical performance of such connectors are also becoming more demanding. However, providing improved electrical performance becomes more difficult as connector sizes decrease. SUMMARY [0005] There remains a need for a connector having a low profile and small footprint capable of providing the required electrical performance in small electronic devices. [0006] One aspect of the invention described herein provides a connector assembly. In one embodiment according to the invention, the connector assembly comprises a connector portion and a frame. The connector portion comprises a connector body, a shield member, and a plurality of signal contacts. The connector body is configured for receiving a plurality of cables of the type having a signal conductor and a ground conductor. The conductive shield member is attached to the connector body, and is configured for connection to the ground conductors of the plurality of cables. The plurality of signal contacts each have a terminal end configured for connection to the signal conductor of a corresponding cable. The frame is configured for mounting on a printed circuit, and includes at least one conductive portion configured for connection to a ground of the printed circuit. The frame defines a space for receiving the connector portion therein, and is configured to direct the connector portion into the receiving space at an oblique insertion angle with respect to the printed circuit. [0007] In another embodiment according to the invention, the connector assembly comprises a connector coupled to a plurality of cables, and a conductive frame. The connector comprises a dielectric connector body, a conductive shield member, and a plurality of signal contacts. The conductive shield member covers a top surface of the dielectric connector body, and is electrically connected to shields of the plurality of coaxial cables. The plurality of signal contacts are adjacent a bottom surface of the dielectric connector body, and are connected to signal conductors of the plurality of cables. The frame is mounted on a printed circuit and electrically connected to a ground of the printed circuit. The frame defines a connector receiving space with a plurality of printed circuit contact pads therein. The frame has a first guide member adjacent a front portion thereof and a second guide member adjacent a back portion thereof. The first and second guide members cooperate to direct the connector into the receiving space at an oblique insertion angle with respect to the printed circuit, such that the signal contacts of the connector contact the printed circuit contact pads with a wiping action. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective sectional view of one embodiment of a connector assembly according to the invention, the connector assembly including a connector with cables attached thereto, and a frame mounted on a printed circuit. [0009] FIGS. 2A-2F are cross-sectional views illustrating assembly of the connector of FIG. 1. [0010] FIGS. 3A-3C are cross-sectional views illustrating insertion of the connector into the frame. [0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a frame according to the invention, where the printed circuit is a flexible circuit. [0012] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a connector assembly according to the invention, the connector and frame having isolated ground segments. [0013] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the connector assembly of FIG. 5. [0014] FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional illustration of a portion of the frame of FIG. 5, illustrating one method of joining ground segments of the frame. [0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a connector assembly according to the invention, the connector and frame having isolated ground segments. [0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective sectional view of another embodiment of a connector according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. The accompanying drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. [0018] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a connector assembly 20 in accordance with the present invention. The connector assembly 20 includes a connector 22 and a frame 24. The connector 22 is configured for receiving one or more cables 30. The cables 30 include a signal conductor 32 and a ground conductor 34 (also referred to as a ground shield) and may be, for example, coaxial cables or twinaxial cables. The frame 24 is configured for mounting on a printed circuit 36 and receiving the connector 22 therein, such that electrical connection is made between the cables 30 and the printed circuit 36. [0019] The connector 22 includes an electrically insulative connector body 38 having an electrically conductive shield member 40 on a top surface thereof. The shield member 40 is mounted on and secured to the connector body 38 by any suitable means, such as by insert molding, adhesive bonding, snap-fit, screws, pins, or other engagement means. The shield member 40 is configured for connection to the ground conductors 34 of the cables 30. The connector 22 further includes a plurality of signal contacts 42 on a bottom surface thereof. Each signal contact 42 has a terminal end 44 configured for connection to a signal conductor 32 of one of the plurality of cables 30. [0020] Assembly of the connector 22 is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2F. As best seen in FIG. 2A, the connector body 38 includes a plurality of solder wells 46. Each solder well 46 is positioned close to the eventual positions of a corresponding signal conductor 32 and a terminal end 44 of a corresponding signal contact 42. The solder wells 46 are adapted to hold solder paste or a solder preform 48 therein. A separate solder well 46 supplies each signal contact terminal end 44. As described in further detail below, the solder paste or preform 48 is used to mechanically and electrically connect the terminal ends 44 of signal contacts 42 to corresponding signal conductors 32 of the cables 30. In one embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the solder paste or preform 48 is inserted into the solder wells 46, and then the shield member 40 is attached to connector body 38 (FIG. 2B). In another embodiment according to the invention, the solder paste or preform 48 is dispensed into the solder well 46 through optional holes 50 in the shield member 40 (best seen in FIG. 9) after the shield member 40 is attached to the connector body 38. Continue reading... Full patent description for Connector assembly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Connector assembly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Connector assembly or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Anode cap, and voltage supply unit and image display apparatus utilizing the same Next Patent Application: Circular electrical connector Industry Class: Electrical connectors ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Connector assembly patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.03796 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error |
||
